7 Ways to Promote your Business Locally

Times are tough for businesses at the moment. As the cost of living crisis bites and people hunker down to see what will happen after the election, they may not be buying goods and services at the same rate as they were. Advertising can feel like an extra expense that you can't afford at the moment – but can you afford not to?

Here are some ideas that you can try to keep your business front of mind for people that you come across regularly. Promoting your business locally is just as important as promoting it further afield.

1. Set up a free Google Business Profile – According to statistics last year 97% of consumers searched the internet for a local business and many people go straight to the internet to read reviews before they make contact. It is easy to set up and is FREE!
2. Start blogging – this is not only a great way to keep in touch with your business networks and customers, but publishing new blogs/posts means you website is updated more regularly with fresh content. The basic principals of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) mean you want to encourage people to your website. Fresh content will keep your website new and interesting, and increase your chances of getting a higher search ranking.
3. Join a local networking group – This is an excellent way to get to know about other businesses in your area. Some of them will be competitors, but some of them will have businesses that complement yours and you may find synergies that lead to collaboration. There are many groups in any area to choose from. The local Chamber of Commerce is a great place to start. Its aim is to ‘...promote, support and encourage sustainable, profitable business growth’ . Other groups include BNI and Venus. Here in Kapiti we also have a vibrant 50+ Entrepreneurs group that meets monthly. Most groups charge an annual fee, but you will find that by getting to know what’s going on in your region and referring each other – more business will come your way.
4. Give back to the Community – customers like to support businesses that associate with a charity – particularly if it is local. You can make an annual contribution to a charity, you can run special promotions with a percentage of sales going to a good cause or you can provide product. For example, if you run a print business you can support a charity by printing posters or stickers for their fund raiser. If you run a restaurant you can donate food for an event. It can be something quite small, but it will make a difference.
5. Give back to the Community – customers like to support businesses that associate with a charity – particularly if it is local. You can make an annual contribution to a charity, you can run special promotions with a percentage of sales going to a good cause or you can provide product. For example, if you run a print business you can support a charity by printing posters or stickers for their fund raiser. If you run a restaurant you can donate food for an event. It can be something quite small, but it will make a difference.
6. Offer discounts – If you feel hesitant to offer discounts because you feels it lowers the value of your brand or if you can’t make a profit by doing so, then consider raising your base price. Psychologically this is appealing to customers because they will feel they are getting a good deal.
7. Set up a customer referral programme – This strategy focuses on customer retention and customer acquisition which are the top two most significant retail drivers. You need to offer an incentive to both parties – so for the new customer they will need some incentive to buy your product (maybe a discount). Your existing customer will need to receive a reward for their referral (perhaps a discount on their next purchase). When people are happy with the product or service they receive they will tell others. Most people are influenced in their purchases by close friends and family – people they know, like and trust.
8. Keep your website up to date – this one seems like a no-brainer, but it is important to keep an eye on your website and make sure that it is meeting the needs of your customers. Keep tabs on Google Analytics and make sure any out of date material is removed. By regularly blogging you are continually refreshing content, so that makes your website more interesting. Change your photos occasionally or make some other updates and then you can reach out to everyone on your database and tell them what you have done, to encourage them to have another look! Promote your website every time you post on social media and when you go to your networking meetings ensure you are giving out your card – which of course includes your website details.

These are just some ideas to think about. It is not practical to do them all and certainly not straight away, but perhaps you can look at this list and find some that you like the sound of and you know you can do. If you want even more ideas, read this article by Quick Sprout. Good luck!

Heather Knewstubb

Time Genie Support Services for Creative and Educational Businesss

Kapiti Coast

New Zealand

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